Austin Reaves, speaking after another disappointing loss to the Denver Nuggets, highlighted a glaring issue for the Los Angeles Lakers: their inability to handle the Nuggets in clutch situations. Reflecting on past encounters, Reaves pointed out that the Lakers had often held leads late into games, only to falter in the crucial final minutes.
“Yeah, I think even if you go back to last year in the playoffs would other than game one maybe I think we had lead late in games, third quarter, fourth quarter. And it gets down to the last three, four, five minutes. And it’s a team that really executes.”
“And you know that going into the game, so you have to be really sharp with what you do on both ends of the court. And yeah, but ever since the playoffs last year, they’ve, for the most part, beat us in those last four to five minutes, and we have to figure out what we have to do to.”
Austin Reaves: "Ever since the playoffs last year, they've for the most part beat us in those last three to four minutes. We have to figure out what we have to do to flip that." pic.twitter.com/M1kgCtpV4U
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 3, 2024
Reaves emphasized that the Nuggets excel in executing their game plan when the pressure is on, particularly in the closing moments of tight contests. This pattern, evident since the playoffs in 2023, has seen the Nuggets consistently outperform the Lakers in crunch time.
Despite LeBron James‘ historic achievement of becoming the first player to reach 40,000 points in NBA history during the game, the Lakers were unable to capitalize on their lead against the Nuggets. Despite James’ stellar performance, the Lakers fell victim to the Nuggets’ ruthless counter-attack in the fourth quarter, ultimately succumbing to a 124-114 defeat.
The Nuggets’ ability to capitalize on crucial moments was once again on display in this game. With the score tied at 108 with four minutes remaining, the Nuggets swiftly seized control of the game, extending their lead to nine points within a matter of minutes and securing yet another victory over the Lakers.
Reaves highlighted the Nuggets’ core players, including Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, and Aaron Gordon, as instrumental in their late-game success. Murray showcased his ball-handling and shooting abilities, while Jokic dominated the paint and Gordon contributed with lob dunks. This cohesive effort by the Nuggets’ key players has consistently propelled them to victory in clutch situations.
As the Lakers continue to search for solutions to their late-game woes against the Nuggets, Reaves’ comments serve as a stark reminder of the challenges they face in overcoming their Western Conference rivals. With the Nuggets’ formidable lineup and clutch performances, the Lakers will need to regroup and strategize effectively to reverse their fortunes in future encounters.
The Lakers Should Pray They Don’t Matchup Against Nuggets In The Playoffs
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a precarious position as they navigate the ups and downs of the NBA season. Despite possessing the talent and star power to challenge any team in the league, they are haunted by a specific opponent: the Denver Nuggets. With a string of losses against the Nuggets, including playoff defeats, the Lakers should be praying they don’t match up against them in the postseason.
The Lakers’ recent history against the Nuggets is nothing short of bleak. They have dropped their last eight matchups against Denver, a streak that spans both regular-season and playoff games. Last season’s Western Conference Finals proved to be particularly painful for the Lakers, as they were swept by the Nuggets, ending their championship aspirations. This season has seen no improvement in their fortunes, with the Lakers losing all three encounters against the Nuggets so far.
Sitting precariously at the 10th spot in the Western Conference with a record of 33-29, the Lakers cannot afford to take any opponent lightly. However, when it comes to facing the Nuggets, there seems to be a mental barrier that the Lakers struggle to overcome. Even LeBron James, the Lakers’ talismanic leader, has acknowledged the challenge posed by the Nuggets, admitting that they seem to have the Lakers’ number.
The Lakers’ roster, built around the dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, is designed to compete at the highest level. With their blend of skill, experience, and leadership, the Lakers are a formidable opponent for any team in the league. However, when it comes to facing the Nuggets, their usual strengths seem to falter.
The Nuggets present a unique challenge for the Lakers, with their depth, versatility, and resilience. Led by stars like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets boast a well-rounded roster that can exploit the Lakers’ weaknesses and capitalize on crucial moments in the game. Whether it’s Jokic’s dominance in the paint, Murray’s scoring prowess, or the team’s collective ability to execute under pressure, the Nuggets consistently find ways to outmaneuver the Lakers.
As the regular season winds down and the playoffs loom on the horizon, the Lakers must carefully navigate their path forward. Despite their ability to give trouble to most teams, the Lakers have been unable to crack the code of the Nuggets. With their recent history of defeats against Denver, the Lakers would be wise to offer up a prayer that they don’t find themselves matched up against their nemesis when the stakes are highest.
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